Backrest device for a bucket

ABSTRACT

A backrest device includes a base and support members to carry and support a seat back in space relation to a seat bottom of a support structure, such as a bucket with a lid. The backrest device enhances the use of the bucket as seating by providing back support. When secured to a bucket, a base of the backrest device extends around the periphery of the bucket. A first support member and a second support member are supported by the base, so that each support member extends upwardly from the base when the base is secured to the bucket. A seat back has a first end that is secured to the upper end of the first support member, and a second end that is secured to the upper end of the second support member to provide an improved seat.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to and claims priority from earlier filed provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/194,971, filed Jul. 21, 2015, the entire contents thereof is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bucket structures, used to contain and house objects, are very well known in the art. For example, buckets are commonly used to hold baseballs, golf balls, fishing equipment, and the like. During these activities, there is usually a time where the participant would like sit and rest. In the example of playing baseball, it is common to store baseballs in a bucket, such as a five-gallon bucket, to facilitate collection of the baseballs and then using them during practice. When the bucket is not being filled or emptied, it is sitting typically unused. Due to the height of the bucket and the fact that it can be easily moved, it has become commonplace for it to be used as a makeshift seat. However, sitting on the lid of a bucket is not particularly comfortable because only a seat bottom is being supplied to serve as a seat support structure.

Many buckets come with a lid (cover) that is padded to encourage sitting thereon when the lid is secured to the open end of the bucket, but it still only provides a seat bottom only without any seat back to support the lumbar region of a user's back, or the user's back generally. Therefore, there is a need for a device that can provide a backrest structure to an existing bucket to improve the overall performance of the bucket to serve as a seat. There is also a need for such a device to be easily attachable to an existing bucket, collapsible for easily transport when not in use and low in cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a device with a base, seat back and supporting members to serve as an additional seat back support structure, as shown in the attached drawing figures and discussed in detail below.

Generally, the backrest device of the present invention includes a base and a seat back, connected by support members that are configured to allow a user to convert a bucket, or any other such support structure, into a more complete seat structure that provides back support.

According to the present invention, a user is provided with a bucket upon which is secured the backrest device of the present invention. The base, seat back and support members together form the backrest device, can be marketed and sold along with the bucket, or it can be marketed and sold separately. The backrest device has particular utility for use with a previously purchased bucket.

As an example, the present invention is useful for converting a bucket, used for transporting baseballs, into a bucket that also provides a seat back support for the user.

The backrest device of the present invention has three two primary members, the base, the seat back and supporting members. The user secures the base of the backrest device to the lower end of the bucket, then, the user secures a pair of support members to the base. Each support member has a lower end that is secured to the base. Each support member has an upper end, and a seat back is secured to the upper ends of the two support members. When the support members are secured to the base, and when the base is secured to the bucket, the seat back is positioned above the bucket and in an optimal location to serve as such a seat back in conjunction with the lid (whether padded or not) serving as the seat bottom to thereby provide a more complete seating structure.

When the backrest device of the present invention is secured to a bucket, the backrest device provides back support when a person is sitting on the bucket. Thus, when the backrest device of the present invention is installed on a bucket, more comfortable seating is provided because a horizontally extending seat platform (or a seat platform that is, for example, convex and extends laterally) and the seat back, suspended above the seat platform, form a more “chair-like” configuration because it provides back support. This allows the user to sit on the seat platform and lean back against the seat back. The backrest device the present invention is configured to resist tipping of the bucket when the user sits on the seat platform of the bucket and leans back against the seat back of the backrest device because the weight of user helps secure the bucket in place. In the exemplary embodiment, the resultant seating, with the backrest device installed on an existing bucket, is not intended for full recline, though it does resist tipping of the bucket and the backrest device installed thereon when the user leans back.

The backrest device of the present invention can be releasably secured to a bucket, so a user can transport the bucket, for example to and from a baseball game, without having the backrest device secured to the bucket. Optionally, the user could transport the bucket with only the base of the backrest device secured to the bucket. Then, when the user arrives at the site of the baseball game, the user can secure the support members and seat back to the base of the backrest device to complete the installation to the bucket.

Accordingly, among the objects of the instant invention are: the provision of a lumbar/back support available that can be secured to a bucket and that can be utilized for sitting; the provision of a quick and simple solution to the lack of a back/lumbar support provided by any given bucket and to enhance the lid/cover, or padded lid/cover, that is provided by the bucket manufacturer; and the provision of an easily attachable backrest device that transforms any given bucket into a supportive, comfortable, non-reclining chair. Other objects, features and advantages of the invention shall become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features that are characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. However, the invention's preferred embodiments, together with further objects and attendant advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying Figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the first embodiment of the backrest device assembled on a bucket;

FIG. 2 is side perspective view of the backrest device of FIG. 1 installed on a bucket; and

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the backrest device of FIG. 1 installed on a bucket;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the base of a first embodiment of the backrest device of the present invention secured to a bucket;

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the base of the first embodiment as installed on a bucket;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the base showing engagement of a support rail to the base;

FIG. 7 is a close-up side view of a support member received in a pocket on the base in the first embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a seat back of a first embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a close-up view of how the seat back is secured to a support member in the first embodiment, such as by a rivet.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a backrest device 10 for a support structure 12 that is commonly used in athletics, primarily baseball and softball, hunting, fishing, painting, gardening, camping, and other outdoor activities. More specifically, the present invention relates to a backrest device 12 that can be secured to a bucket 12, such as a bucket that is used for containing baseballs (not shown), to provide seat back support to the user of the bucket 12. For ease of discussion and illustration, the present invention will be shown in detail in connection with being installed on a bucket 12 but it should be understood that present invention can be installed on and accommodated by any type of support structure 12.

Referring now to the figures, the backrest device 10 of the present invention is illustrated and generally indicated in FIGS. 1-9. As will hereinafter be more fully described, the backrest device 10 of the present invention provides back support to an individual when the individual is sitting on a bucket 12 with the backrest device 10 of the present invention installed thereon.

Generally, the backrest device 10 of the present invention is configured to enhance the seating provided by the top surface 14 a of the lid 14 on a bucket 12, such as a bucket that is typically used to carry baseballs.

In other embodiments, the backrest device 10 can be configured to provide seat back support when installed on a bucket 12 such as a 5-gallon bucket used to contain a fluid, baseballs, or items. The backrest device 10 of the present invention is not limited to cylindrical buckets, or buckets that are substantially cylindrical. The present invention can be configured to be secured to buckets 12 that have an outer shape of a square, a trapezoid, a rectangle, a triangle, or another shape.

The backrest device 10 of the present invention allows a user to convert a bucket 12 into a more full-featured and comfortable chair-like seat that provides back support. The user can use an existing bucket 12 to form a seat platform, for example by placing the lid (cover) 14 on the open end 12 b of the bucket 12. The user can place a pad 16 on the upper surface 14 a of the lid 14, and can use the upper surface of this pad 16 for providing a seat platform (or seat surface). It is common for baseball buckets 12 to already include such a pad 16 secured to the top of the lid 14. The user can use the backrest device 10 to provide seat back support so the user can lean back against a seat back while sitting on the lid 14 or on the upper surface of the pad 16 when the pad 16 is used.

FIGS. 1-3 provide views of the front, side, and rear views of the backrest device 10 of the present invention secured on a bucket 12 showing an exemplary embodiment of the backrest device 10 secured to a bucket 12, in a configuration as it may be used to support an individual in a seated position. The bucket 12, that can receive the backrest device 10 of the present invention, optionally includes a padded seat portion 16, namely on the lid 14 thereof. The padded seat portion 16 is configured to extend over an end of a bucket. In a first embodiment of the pad 16, the pad is configured to be placed on a lid 14 of a bucket 12. In a second embodiment of the pad 16 (not shown), the pad 16 is configured with a lower surface that engages an open upper end of a bucket 12, so that the pad 16 can serve as both a lid 14 and a pad 16 simultaneously. Other embodiments of the pad 16 are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. It should also be understood that a bucket 12 may come pre-installed with a pad 16 thereon. In that case, a pad 16 need not be installed on the top of the lid 14, unless further padding is desired.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, the first embodiment of the backrest device, as secured to a bucket 12, is shown, to include a base 18. The bucket 12 has an outer wall 12 c that is, for example, cylindrical in the lower bucket portion. The base 18 is preferably generally tubular in construction, namely, a structure with an open top end 18 a and an open bottom end 18 b. It may have any suitable cross-sectional shape to accommodate whatever shaped support it is being installed on to. However, it is possible, although not preferred, that the bottom end of the base 18 is closed to form a cup-like configuration.

FIG. 5 shows a close up rear view of the base 18 has a vertically extending seam 20 extending vertically and laterally outwardly from the base 18 when the base extends around a support structure, such as a bucket 12. The sewing of the ends of the fabric material together forms this seam 20. However, depending on how the base 18 is manufactured, this vertical seam 20 may or may not be present.

The user secures the base 18 of the backrest device 10 about the bucket 12 by inserting the lower portion of the bucket 12 into the top open end 18 a of the base 18 that is defined by the inner surface of the base 18. The inner diameter of the base 18 is ideally close to the outer diameter of the bucket 12 for a snug fit. Therefore, the base 18 is configured to extend around the periphery of the bucket 12 when the base 18 is secured to the bucket 12. Thus, the inner surface of the base 18 is in adjacent facing engagement and in engagement with the cylindrical outer wall 12 c of the bucket 12 when the base 18 is frictionally secured to the bucket 12. The close sizing of the base 18 to the bucket 12 and the preferable use of rugged and relatively stiff fabric for the base 18 enables the base 18 to stay in place over the bucket 12 like a tubular sleeve.

To provide the seat back portion, generally referred to as 22, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the present invention includes a pair of support members 24, and a seat back that is secured to the support members and configured to extend between them. FIGS. 8 and 9 show a close-up views of the construction of the support members 24 a, 24 b of the seat back 22. The pair of support members 24 a, 24 b includes a first support member 24 a and a second support member 24 b. Each support member 24 a, 24 b has a lower end 24 a′ and 24 b′ an upper end 24 a″ and 24 b″. The lower end 24 a′ and 24 b′ of each support member is configured to be secured to the base 18 so that each support member 24 a, 24 b extends upwardly from the base when the base 18 is secured to a bucket 12.

FIG. 4 shows a lower end 24 a′ and 24 b′, respectively, of support members 24 a, 24 b secured to the base 12. In the exemplary embodiment, the base 18 is provided with a pair of pockets 26 a, 26 b for respectively receiving the pair of support members 24 a, 24 b, thereby securing the pair of support members 24 a, 24 b to the base 18. Each pocket 26 a, 26 b is secured to the outer surface of the base 18 and has a closed bottom end 26 a′, 26 b′ and an open top end 26 a″ and 26 b″. Each pocket 26 a, 26 b is configured to receive the lower end 24 a′, 24 b′, respectively, of one of the support members 24 a, 24 b. While some of the figures show only one pocket 26 and one support member 24 installed therein, it should be understood that there is a second pocket 26 and second support member 24 installed on the opposite side of the base 18. The two support members 24 a, 24 b installed in their corresponding two pockets 26 a, 26 b can be seen clearly in FIG. 3, for example.

When each support member 24 a, 24 b is secured to the base 18, it is either positionally and rotationally secured with respect to the base 18, or is positionally and rotationally limited with respect to the base 18. FIG. 4 shows one of the pockets 26 b that receives support member 24 b. The pocket 26 b of FIG. 4 limits the ability of the support member 24 b to translate downward or laterally with respect to the base 18, and the pocket 26 b limits the ability of the support member 24 b to rotate with respect to the base 18. This also limits the ability of the support member 24 b to translate and rotate with respect to the bucket 12 when the base 18 is secured to a bucket 12. The opposing pocket 26 a and its support member 24 a would exhibit the same characteristics on the opposite side of the base 18.

In sum, the pockets 26 a, 26 b enable their respective support members 24 a, 24 b to be removably fixed to the base 18 for easy assembly and disassembly. In the exemplary embodiment, each pocket 26 a, 26 b has an open upper end 26 a″, 26 b″ that is configured to receive a respective support member 24 a, 24 b. To assemble the backrest device 10, the user inserts the lower end 24 a′, 24 b′ of each support member 24 a, 24 b into the respective open upper ends 26 a″, 26 b″ of the pockets 26 a, 26 b.

FIG. 4 shows a pocket 26 b having an open upper end 26 b″. The open upper end 26 b″ is reinforced by a strap 28 that extends along the open upper end 26 b″ of the pocket 26 b. In the exemplary embodiment, each pocket 26 a, 26 b has such an open upper end that is reinforced by its own strap 28. FIGS. 6 and 7 provide additional views of the pockets 26 a, 26 b.

In addition to the open upper end, each pocket 26 a, 26 b has a closed lower end 26 a′ and 26 b′, as shown in FIG. 4. The support members 24 a, 24 b rest in the pockets 26 a, 26 b, respectively. The lower end of the pocket 26 b in this view is configured to vertically constrain the respective support member 24 b. In the exemplary embodiment, the lower end 26 b′ of each pocket 26 b is sewn to the outer surface of the base 18. The position and orientation of each pocket 26 a, 26 b can be modified to suit the support members 24 a, 24 b and their desired position when the device 10 is fully installed on a bucket 12. On each pocket 26 a, 26 b, side edges of the pocket extend between the lower end of the respective pocket to the open upper end of the respective pocket. In the exemplary embodiment, seams are sewn along these side edges 26 c to secure the side edges of the respective pocket 26 a, 26 b to the base 18. Thus, when the lower portion 24 a′, 24 b′ of a respective support member 24 a, 24 b is received in a respective pocket 26 a, 26 b, the closed lower end 26 a′, 26 b′ of the pocket 26 a, 26 b and the side edges 26 c cooperate to vertically and rotationally constrain the respective support member 24 a, 24 b with respect to the base 18, and therefore with respect to the bucket 12.

FIG. 3 shows that the pair of pockets 26 a, 26 b are respectively positioned on opposite sides of the base 18 when the base 18 is secured to a support structure 12.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show further details of the seat back portion 22 in accordance with the present invention. A seat back member 30 has a first end 30 a that is secured to the upper end 24 a″ of the first support member 24 a. The seat back 30 has a second end 30 b that is secured to the upper end 24 b″ of the second support member 24 b. Thus, the seat back member 30 can be positioned above the bucket 12 when the base 18 is secured to a bucket 12, thereby to be in an optimal position to provide the additional back support.

The seat back member 30 is secured to the support members 24 a, 24 b. In the exemplary embodiment, the seat back member 30 includes a slot 32 a located its first end 30 a and a slot 32 a located at its second end 30 b, each for receiving the first and second support members, respectively. Slots 32 a, 32 b run vertically and are defined by vertical stitching 34 a, 34 b. Additionally, the seat back member 30 is secured to the support members 24 a, 24 b by a fastener 36, such as rivets, to help prevent removal of the seat back member 30 from the support members 24 a, 24 b. FIG. 8 shows a front view of the seat back. In addition, FIG. 9 shows one of the rivets that extends through the back surface of the seat back member 30 and into a support member 24 b. When a user leans against the seat back member 30, the rivets help secure the seat back member 30 in place with respect to the support members 24 a, 24 b.

In the exemplary embodiment, the base 18 is shown as being secured to a bucket 12 that has a cylindrical outer wall. Thus, the base 18 itself is preferably generally cylindrically tubular in configuration. It is possible to secure this base 18 to buckets 12 having outer walls that are non-cylindrical, as long as the inner surface of the base 18 is held in engagement, such as frictional, with the outer wall of the bucket 12 or other support structure. In other embodiments, the base 18 can be specifically configured to be secured on a support structure 12 that has an outer wall that has a peripheral edge that is another shape, such as square or triangular. Other shapes are also possible.

Also, the base 18, pockets 26 a, 26 b and seat back member 30 are preferably made of a flexible canvas-like material but they can be of any material, flexible or rigid. A flexible material is preferred so it can be collapsed to facilitate transport thereof. The support members 24 a, 24 b are preferably tubular aluminum but they can be of any configuration or material so they can provide a rigid support for the seat back configuration 22. While rivets are preferred as the fasteners 36 to secure the seat back member 30 to the support members 24 a, 24 b together, any fasteners 36 may be used or an adhesive may be used for this purpose.

When the backrest device 10 of the present invention is secured to the bucket 12, the bucket 12 is still usable. A user can access the contents of the bucket 12 without removing the backrest device 10 while the handle is still remains useable.

To summarize, the invention is backrest device 10 that includes an encircling base 18 made out of 1000 Denior CORDURA® nylon that receives a standard bucket 12 commonly used for baseballs/softballs. A pair of angled aluminum tubular members (or aluminum support members) 24 a, 24 b are respectively attached to the encircling base 18 to carry a seat back, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 8. The seat back member 30 is fastened to each aluminum tube with a rivet, as shown in FIG. 9. The encircling base 18 is manufactured to fit buckets 12 (or other support structures) of any dimension and is made with a protruding fold-like seam 20 to aid the process of applying the encircling base 18 to the bucket 12, as shown in FIG. 5. The back/lumbar support configuration 22 provided by the present invention stems from the 1000 Denior CORDURA® nylon pockets 26 a, 26 b located on both sides of the encircling base 18, as shown in FIG. 6, reinforced by two pieces of nylon strap 28, as shown in FIG. 7.

It can therefore be seen that the backrest device 10 of the present invention provides a lumbar/back support available that can be secured to a bucket 12 and that can be utilized for sitting; provides a quick and simple solution to the lack of a back/lumbar support provided by any given bucket 12 and to enhance the lid 14, or padded cover, that is provided by the bucket manufacturer; and provides a backrest device 10 that transforms any given bucket 12 into a supportive, comfortable, non-reclining chair. For these reasons, the instant invention is believed to represent a significant advancement in the art, which has substantial commercial merit.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A backrest device configured for providing a seat back on a support structure having an outer peripheral side wall, the backrest device comprising: a base defining an open chamber therein, a top open end and an outer surface; a support structure configured and arranged to be insertable into the chamber of the tubular base with the tubular base extending around and in communication with the peripheral side wall of the support structure when the base is secured thereto; a first support member and a second support member each secured to the base; each of the first support member and the second support member having a lower end and an upper end; the lower end of the first support member and the lower end of the second support member being secured to the base in spaced apart relation to each other; the upper end of the first support member and the upper end of the second support member extending above the top open end of the base; a seat back secured to and spanning between the upper end of the first support member and the upper end of the second support member at positioned at a location above the top open end of the base when the base is secured to a support structure.
 2. The backrest device of claim 1, wherein the support structure is a cylindrical bucket.
 3. The backrest device of claim 1, further comprising a first pocket secured to the outer surface of the base and a second pocket secured to the outer surface of the base in spaced apart related to the first pocket; the lower end of the first support member being removably insertable into the first pocket and the lower end of the second support member being removable insertable into the second pocket; the first support member and the second support member being secured to the base.
 4. The backrest device of claim 3, wherein the first pocket and the second pocket are respectively positioned on opposite sides of the base when the base is secured to a support structure.
 4. The backrest device of claim 1, wherein the first pocket and the second pocket have a reinforced open upper end.
 5. The backrest device of claim 1, wherein the base is tubular and configured to extend about a cylindrical outer wall of the support structure.
 6. The backrest device of claim 1, wherein the seat back includes a first side and a second side; a first sleeve being located on the first side and a second sleeve being located on the second side; the upper end of the first support member residing in the first sleeve and the upper end of the second support structure residing in the second sleeve.
 7. The backrest device of claim 6, wherein the first sleeve is fastened to the upper end of the first support member and the second sleeve is fastened to the upper end of the second support member.
 8. The backrest device of claim 7, wherein the first sleeve is fastened to the upper end of the first support member by at least one rivet and the second sleeve is fastened to the upper end of the second support member by at least one rivet.
 9. The backrest device of claim 6, wherein the first sleeve has an open upper end and a closed lower end and the second sleeve has an open upper end and a closed lower end.
 10. The backrest device of claim 1, further comprising: a lid attached to a top portion of the support structure.
 11. The backrest device of claim 10, further comprising: padded member on the lid to provide a padded seat bottom. 